Flying Into Nosara on Sansa Airlines: What to Expect

There are two ways to get to Nosara: you can drive for hours through the mountains, or you can fly in on a small plane and be there in under an hour. We've done both. We always choose the plane.

Sansa Airlines is Costa Rica's domestic carrier, operating small turboprop aircraft between San José, Liberia, and a network of small-town airstrips along the coast. The Nosara route is one of their most popular, and for good reason — it transforms a grinding road trip into one of the most memorable parts of your vacation.

The Experience

Sansa flies Cessna 208B Grand Caravans — single-engine turboprops that seat about 14 passengers. There's no first class, no drink cart, and no overhead bins. You climb a few steps, duck through the door, settle into a window seat (every seat is practically a window seat), and within minutes you're airborne.

From San José, the flight takes about 40 minutes. From Liberia, it's closer to 15. Either way, the views are extraordinary. You fly low enough to see individual waves breaking on the coastline, rivers carving through jungle canopy, and tiny beach towns scattered along the Nicoya Peninsula. On a clear day, you can see both the Pacific Ocean and the volcanic highlands at the same time.

Sansa Airlines Cessna Grand Caravan on a rural Costa Rica airstrip with mountains and dramatic clouds — A Sansa Caravan ready for departure — small planes, small airstrips, and big views ahead.

The first time you fly into Nosara on a small plane, you'll understand why people call it magical. The jungle opens up, a narrow grass strip appears, and suddenly you're stepping off onto a runway surrounded by trees and birdsong.

Golden hour from a Sansa window — the coastline stretches out below as you fly into Nosara.

The Nosara airstrip (airport code NOB) is about as far from a conventional airport as you can get. It's a short grass runway with a small open-air terminal — really just a covered area with a counter. There's no jet bridge, no baggage carousel, and no stress. Someone hands you your bag, and you walk out to where your ride is waiting. The whole arrival takes about five minutes.

Practical Details

Routes and frequency

Sansa operates daily flights from both San José (SJO domestic terminal) and Liberia (LIR) to Nosara. Schedules shift seasonally, but there are typically 2–4 flights per day from San José and 1–2 from Liberia during high season. Early morning departures are most common.

Cost

One-way fares range from roughly $80 to $180 depending on the season and how far in advance you book. Round-trip discounts are sometimes available. It's not cheap, but when you factor in the time saved, fuel costs, and the wear of a five-hour drive, the math starts to make a lot of sense — especially for families.

Baggage

This is the part that catches people off guard. Sansa has strict weight limits: one checked bag up to 30 pounds (14 kg) and one carry-on up to 10 pounds (4.5 kg). That's it. No exceptions, and they do weigh everything.

For a beach vacation in Nosara, this is more manageable than it sounds. You don't need much — swimsuits, shorts, a few light layers, and sandals. Leave the heavy luggage behind. If you're traveling with surfboards or other oversized items, Sansa can sometimes accommodate them for an extra fee, but you need to arrange it in advance.

Pro tip: Ship any excess luggage to your accommodation ahead of time, or leave an extra bag at your San José hotel if you're staying a night before flying out. Packing light is part of the Nosara experience.

Booking

Book directly through the Sansa Airlines website. Flights can sell out in high season (December through April), so reserve early if your dates are firm. Flexible tickets cost more but allow date changes — worth considering if your plans might shift.

Sansa Airlines Cessna Grand Caravan in flight over Costa Rica with mountains in the background — A Sansa Caravan climbing out — these small planes fly low enough to see every detail of the coastline below.

Why We Recommend It

The practical benefits are obvious: you save 3–4 hours of driving, avoid mountain roads, and arrive rested instead of road-weary. But the experience itself is worth the price of admission. Flying low over the Costa Rican coastline, watching the jungle canopy pass beneath you, and landing on a tiny airstrip surrounded by nature — it sets the tone for the whole trip.

For families with young kids, it's a game-changer. No one is asking "are we there yet" on a 40-minute flight with this kind of scenery. And the small-plane experience is genuinely thrilling for kids — they'll talk about it for months.

What to Know Before You Go

Check in early. The domestic terminal in San José is separate from the international terminal. Give yourself time to find it and check in at least 45 minutes before departure.
Pack light. The 30-pound limit is non-negotiable. Weigh your bags before you leave home.
Flexible timing helps. Small aircraft are occasionally delayed by weather, especially in green season. Build some flexibility into your schedule.
Book early in high season. December through April flights fill up fast.
Arrange ground transport. Have a taxi, shuttle, or rental car waiting at the Nosara airstrip — it's a short drive from there to most accommodations, including Kembar.

Getting from the Airstrip to Kembar

The Nosara airstrip is about a 10-minute drive from Kembar. We can help arrange a pickup when you book your stay — just share your flight details and we'll make sure someone is there waiting. After that short ride through the jungle, you'll be poolside with a cold drink in hand. That's the Sansa arrival experience.

Check availability on our booking page, or reach out on WhatsApp to start planning.